Of course, Leaf's most infamous game and post-game breakdown came after his miserable performance as a rookie against the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium, when he completed just 1-of-15 passes for four yards, two interceptions, with three lost fumbles in the rain.

However, Riley and other organizational members believe that Leaf's emotional stability is real. Evidence of that came at the press conference announcing Leaf's demotion. True, Leaf said he thought it was "stupid" to make such a move two games into the season, but he did so without troubling emotions, or any tantrums.

Last Sunday, McNown could be seen doing the same thing as the quarterback of the Chicago Bears, who were embarrassed 41-0 by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I know he was not a popular fellow in the locker room after the game. It was not a pretty sight and Bears offensive coordinator Gary Crowton knew it.

Did McNown really play that well against the Vikings in Week 1, as his 290 yards passing and 87 yards rushing seemed to indicate? Not according to ESPN's resident quarterback expert, Ron Jaworski. As previously noted, Jaws warned that McNown was destined for some trouble if he played the same game against the Bucs. Jaws also suggested Crowton's acclaimed offense was too sophisticated for a young quarterback.

"I don't see that," Crowton said. "Cade is a great student of the game. This just wasn't one of our days. But the Bucs ... we know what to do against the cover-two defense they play. We have plays to deal to beat that. But they have excellent personnel, and they are as well-coached as they come. Everything they do complements their scheme. They mix it up well, coming off their zone blitzes, and they just got the better of us this time."

Based on the Bears' disappointing 0-2 start, there has been the suggestion that McNown might need to be benched in favor of Jim Miller. Crowton hesitated. "Let's see how he does against the Giants this week," he said.

As for the Bucs' assessment of McNown, a coach on the Tampa Bay staff told me, "McNown's problem is that he's always trying to make fantastic plays, instead of sticking the basics."

Reality check hits Redskins early
What depressing news for the Redskins last week. Not only did they suffer a tough defeat, but Michael Westbrook is out for the season. This is a real blow to the Redskins offense, folks.

The 'Skins did get some good news when commissioner Paul Tagliabue informed them and safety Mark Carrier that his one-game suspension will not be extended and he will not be fined for his controversial hit on Panthers tight end Wesley Walls in Week 1.

However, Carrier's replacement, Sam Shade, is probably going to be fined for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Lions quarterback Charlie Batch. Detroit coach Bobby Ross was furious with officials because Batch was very shaken by the hit late in the second quarter. In fact, Batch still could not see clearly out of his right eye when the third quarter started. Had the Redskins not received the second-half kickoff, Batch would have had to give way to Stoney Case. By the time the Redskins punted, Batch was able to resume play.